PowerPoint and Presentation Tips

PowerPoint Techniques
NEW! Video How-To: Create A Stunning Photo-with-Text Overlay Slide
This video tutorial (2.38 minutes) shows an easy technique used by the masters for designing a great-looking slide in PowerPoint 2007 using the soft edges shape effect.

PowerPoint Tips
How to Always Get a Black Drop Shadow on Your Text
You’ve probably run into the problem in PowerPoint where you need a solid black drop shadow but can only seem to get a light gray or colored shadow. Here’s an easy way to always get a black shadow on your text.

How to Get YouTube Video Movies into Your PowerPoint Presentation
A step-by-step guide to downloading YouTube video movies (Flash Video FLV) , converting them into a format for PowerPoint, and inserting into your presentation.

Putting Your PowerPoint Presentation On The Web
Your show can become a valuable 24x7 multi-media marketing and communications tool for if you publish it on your website. This article looks at four ways to achieve this, and considers the pros and cons of each.

How To Make PowerPoint Text Look Great - 5 Secrets of the Pros
Here are five little-known professional secrets to make text look great in your PowerPoint presentations.

Where to Download Royalty-Free Photos and Graphics for Your PowerPoint Presentation
In this tip, you'll learn some of the best free and inexpensive pay sites on the Internet to find superb, attention-getting images that will make your PowerPoint presentations shine!

Give Your Presentation a Strong Closing by Using a Call-to-Action Slide
Your PowerPoint presentation sells your company, project, product or service. In this tip, we'll show you how to create potential new business opportunities by engaging your audience with a call to action!

Get The Picture! Insert Video Into Your PowerPoint Show!
Did you know that you can easily insert video files into your PowerPoint Presentations? This tip explains how, and offers a great free tool for converting movies into formats PowerPoint can recognize.

Use a Question Slide to Involve Your Audience and Help Them Focus
This article shows you a simple and highly effective technique that anybody can use to get your audience more involved in your presentation. In this tip, you'll learn how questions can "lead" your audience's attention--and keep them interested in what you have to say.

Slide Transitions For Maximum Effect In Your PowerPoint Presentations!
A slide transition helps make a PowerPoint presentation seem seamless. Transitions help cue the audience that new information is being presented. But if your slides just appear, one after another, your audience can quickly get lost. This article offers effective tips for top-drawer transitions.

Make The Grade: How To Easily Create A Gradient Background!
A gradient background adds depth and visual drama to your PowerPoint slides. In this article, we'll show you step-by-step how to build a gradient background in the Slide Master of a new PowerPoint deck!

Mail Call: Ship Your PowerPoint Shows Without Worry!
Have you ever tried to e-mail a PowerPoint show? It can be a challenge. Two common problems--file size and font usage--can cause frustration for both sender and recipient. Here, you'll learn some quick tricks to keep your PowerPoint shows intact--from your computer to anyone's!

Tell A Story and Make Your Presentations More Powerful!
Even in business writing, and PowerPoint presentations, the best communicators tell a story. Tap into high-powered business writing and public speaking by telling a story. This tip gives you the inside story on story-telling.

Public Speaking and Live Presentations
Go Live Checklist For Fail-Safe PowerPoint Presentations
Ready to make a live PowerPoint presentation? This tip offers 10 vital pre-show points to assure that you have smooth sailing at showtime!

Pause...for Power!
You're probably familiar with the classic stage direction, "pause for effect." Proper use of pauses is, indeed, one of the most effective tools you can use in public speaking. In this article, we'll discuss the powerful ways that a simple pause can enable your audience to listen--and learn!

Writing and Communication
Keep It Short: The Golden Rule of E-mail!
We're all swamped with e-mails each day. The most effective business writing is brief and concise. In this tip, we'll show you how to get to the main point quickly.

Make Every Word Tell-- Write For Maximum Impact
This tip helps you use language for maximum impact in business writing and public presentations. Speak directly, clearly, and choose your words wisely--communicate clearly to your audience!

First Words Last--Begin At The End!
When you write the text to a presentation, where do you start? This tip offers some sage advice on how to best begin your next PowerPoint presentation!